In this episode of Resilient Aging // Unfiltered, Dr. Dani Cabral interviews former Phoenix news anchor Rick D’Amico, who retired at the peak of his career to care for his wife, Ruth, after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body disease. Rick shares the private story behind the public persona: why he kept Ruth’s diagnosis confidential to preserve her dignity, the subtle early signs he missed, and the identity shift from broadcaster to full-time care partner.
We get practical, too: how adult day programs can create joy (and real respite), what to expect from speech/physical/occupational therapy, navigating aphasia, and the hard decisions near end-of-life. Rick also names the heartbreak of ambiguous loss, grieving a person who is still physically here and what helped him keep going.
If you’re a spouse, adult child, or friend walking alongside someone with cognitive change, this episode offers grounded wisdom, compassion, and next steps.
#Alzheimer's #caregiving #ambiguous loss #resilience #aging #support
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Rick D'Amico's Journey
01:45 The Impact of Alzheimer's on Family Dynamics
05:46 Transitioning to Caregiving: A Personal Account
10:50 Recognizing Early Signs of Alzheimer's
15:31 Emotional Connections and Relationship Strain
18:39 The Role of Media in Alzheimer's Awareness
21:29 A Love Story: Rick and Ruth's Relationship
25:23 The Journey of Caregiving
26:23 Writing to Heal: The Book's Purpose
29:40 Understanding Ambiguous Loss
31:48 Grieving: A Complex Process
35:12 The Importance of Adult Day Programs
38:41 Navigating Care Facilities
42:59 End-of-Life Decisions
45:15 Reflections on Alzheimer's Care
47:43 The Rewards of Caregiving
How to Find Rick:
Personal Website: https://rickdamico.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RickDAmicosPage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.damico.376
X: https://x.com/rickdamico123
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@rickdamico
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickdamico/
Rick's book: How Alzheimer’s Stole My Wife and Shattered Our Dreams: A True Life Story
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpw1gD2IWWM
Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW2K4BV2
Care Partner Resources:
Arizona Caregiver Coalition: https://www.azcaregiver.org/
Alzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving
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